Category Archives: News

On May 24, 25 and 26, 2019 Theater for the New City will present the 24th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts. The Yip Harburg Foundation’s Rainbow Troupe will perform a concert entitled “Yip Harburg’s Songs of Humor and Hope in Times of Trump,” conceived by Deena Harburg with the singers Jonathan Hadley, Ben Harburg, Taylor-Rey McInnes and Jessica Mortellaro, and David Gaines on piano.

The Yip Harburg Foundation’s Rainbow Troupe performed at the 2019 “Love ‘n’ Courage” benefit at The Players in New York City. Proceeds went to Theater for the New City’s Emerging Playwrights Program. The performers were Reanna Armellino, Stephen Bogardus, Ben Harburg and Taylor-Rey MacInnes with David Gaines at piano. The concert was conceived and produced by Deena R. Harburg and the Yip Harburg Foundation. Click here for a video of the concert.

Harvey Granat hosted host an encore presentation of “On Yip Harburg” at the 92nd Street Y in New York City on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018 at Noon. Guests were Yip’s son Ernie Harburg and daughter-in-law Deena Rosenberg-Harburg who also participated in 2017. Pianist: Rob Kelly. Vocalist: Joelle Lurie.

In Adapting The Wizard of Oz: Musical Versions from Baum to MGM and Beyond (Oxford University Press, 2018), editors Danielle Birkett and Dominic McHugh bring together insights from eleven experts into the varied musical forms this great American myth has taken in the past century. Includes chapters on the “Oz” film’s songs by Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen. November 2018.

Yip’s great grandsons Aaron Harburg and David Harburg joined former Kansas state legislator J. Basil Dannebohm and nationally syndicated film critic Ryan Jay for a celebration of Yip on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017 at 7pm. The presentation consisted of stories and songs to enlighten the public about the man whose lyrics we all sing but whose name remains largely unknown. The venue: The home theatre at the Dannebohm residence in Salina, Kansas.

Singer Ariana Grande chose Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen’s song of hope, “Over the Rainbow,” as the finale of her June 4, 2017 “One Love” benefit in Manchester, England to help the victims of the terror bombing following her May 22nd concert in that city. At least $1.19 from each sale of the $1.29 track on iTunes will go to the “We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.”

Yip’s great grandson Dave Harburg will perform contemporary versions of Yip’s more famous works, such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” “Old Devil Moon” and “April in Paris.” The proceeds from the concert will help restore a vocational school in a small village in Uganda with the non-profit Children Waiting Everywhere. The concert will feature another local musician, Alanna Boudreau. July 29, 2017 at 7:30 PM. Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Tax deductible donation $10 individual or $25 for families. 734 255-2924.

The Irish Repertory Theatre‘s smash hit encore production of the Yip Harburg-Burton Lane-Fred Saidy musical classic Finian’s Rainbow was honored by the Outer Critics Circle with a nomination for Best Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off Broadway) for the 2016-17 theatrical season (Hello, Dolly! won).

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Quote of the Month

2 lyrics about Sundays

1944Sunday in Cicero Falls,Sunday in Cicero Falls,Shoes are brushed and shirts are starched,Hearts are pure and throats are parched,Sabbath has fallen on cobbles and wallsThank merciful HeavenJust one day in sevenIs Sunday in Cicero Falls,Sunday in Cicero Falls.

1950There’s a fine Sunday feeling‘Round that old village square,With those fine Sunday facesSmiling at you everywhere . . .

From the bells in the belfryComes a song everywhere,If it says “Love thy neighbor,”And thy neighbor’s young and fair,Thank that fine Sunday feeling in the air.